Resort building momentum ‘Targeted incident’
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BY JESSICA GRIMBLE
uilding of a luxury resort in the northern Grampians could begin within months.
Developers of the $26.2-million Mount Zero Resort project are awaiting Environment Protection Authority approval and confirming building contractors before the build can start. Australian Wildflowers managing director Jo Gardner said the project had secured funds required for the stage-one build – including a State Government investment of $8.5-million, debtor funding and private equity. The resort will feature 40 luxury accommodation villas, a restaurant and a café along with a spa and wellness facility, plunge pool, a function centre and landscaped gardens. It will be on Australian Wildflowers property abutting the Grampians Peaks Trail head and Grampians National Park at Mount Zero. Ms Gardner said the build could start as soon as mid-year.
“We were looking local first, but have been talking with builders across the state who have the capacity to look at the project,” she said. “We’re pretty close to signing a contract with a builder, who has been doing quotations, using local sub-contractors where possible. “We allowed ourselves two years for the build, initially, but we hope to do it in a lot less time.” Ms Gardner and business partners worked on the accommodation project for some years and engaged awardwinning Adelaide-based Troppo Architects to work on a draft plan. The company specialises in environmentally-sustainable developments and is experienced in designing projects appropriate for national parks. Horsham Rural City Council granted a planning permit for stage-one of the project last month. A long-term staged concept involves a range of up to 110 short-stay accommodation units. Ms Gardner said among the next
steps for the project was forming a community consultative group to continue engaging and informing interested people. Mount Zero Resort will be the first accommodation centre of its kind to tap into the north-west potential of Grampians National Park. Tourism Minister Steve Dimopoulos said the resort was expected to deliver $43.6-million in economic benefits during the construction phase alone. It also aims to provide 17,520 additional overnight stays in the Grampians annually, which will attract more visitors to the region. Mr Dimopoulos said the resort ‘strongly aligned’ with increasing access to nature-based tourism – which is a key pillar in the government’s ‘Visitor Economy Recovery and Reform Plan’. The resort was also named in Grampians Tourism’s Investment Prospectus as a major opportunity to attract investment into the region. The funding is part of the govern-
ment’s Regional Tourism Investment Fund. “It’s fantastic to see the Mount Zero Resort project one step closer – this project is set to invigorate the Grampians by becoming a new tourism drawcard to showcase all the region has to offer,” Mr Dimopoulos said. Grampians Tourism chief executive Marc Sleeman said the project would further support the appeal of drawcards such as the Grampians Peaks Trail. “Our Grampians Strategic Tourism Investment Report found that accommodation demand will outstrip supply by 2027, with visitation expected to double over the next 10 years,” he said. “With more than $60-million of state and federal funding in tourism infrastructure support committed and over $250-million worth of current and future private tourism investment projects underway, now is the perfect time to invest in our destination.” Ms Gardner said people wanting more information could email feedback@mtzeroresort.com
Cannabis find
CELEBRATION: Hindmarsh Shire celebrated diversity yesterday with a citizenship and Harmony Day ceremony in Nhill. Nileena George, Khink San, That Htan, Nan Da San and Meg Lee shared their stories and culture with attendees at the event at Nhill Memorial Community Centre. It also included a video presentation from Nhill College and a Karen youth dance performance. Harmony Day, recognised annually on March 21, celebrates diversity and aims to foster inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging. It falls within Harmony Week, which this year runs from March 20 to 26. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
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Pedestrians struck
Northern Grampians Crime Investigation Unit detectives have arrested a man after two pedestrians were struck by a car in Stawell on Wednesday last week. Police allege three pedestrians were walking near the intersection of Sloane and Cooper streets about 5.20pm when a maroon Toyota Corolla struck the group. Two male pedestrians of Stawell, aged 53 and 23, were taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. The driver of the vehicle, a Stawell man, 35, was arrested at the scene.
Weather watch From page 1 “We see an increased chance of drought and bushfire risk, while also seeing more frosts as we have less cloud cover in drier years, which leads to colder night-time temperatures,” Mr Brennan said. “People tend to be less conservative of their water consumption when we have high security for several years. “Communities and industries are more confident when there is water around and when people feel that confidence, their behaviour differs. “We see the full spectrum of droughts to floods and sometimes we hit a sweet spot and people act accordingly.” Mr Brennan said it was difficult to predict the outlook for the entire year, but there was always a lot of interest during autumn as the agriculture sector planned cropping season. “There’s some pressure for a bit of a crystal ball when farmers are planning crops and inputs as they determine how long they wait for a traditional autumn break,” he said. “While indicators are that we could be moving from La Niña into El Niño, there are always anomalies and localised differences. We only saw three really wet months last year, compared with NSW and Queensland which experienced three really wet years. “The environment and weather are always changing and complex so we use outlooks to best manage our water and focus on our resources for the environment when and where we need them.”
Police investigations are continuing into the shooting of a man in Horsham last week. Emergency services were called to reports multiple offenders had broken into a Cecil Street property about 7.15am on Friday. A man, 36 – the resident of the property – sustained a gunshot wound and was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A Victoria Police spokesperson said the offenders fled the scene. No arrests had been made when The Weekly Advertiser went to press last night. The spokesperson said the exact circumstances surrounding the incident were yet to be determined, but police believe it was a targeted incident. The spokesperson called on anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Ballarat Divisional Response Unit detectives have seized more than 2000 cannabis plants at Landsborough, east of Stawell. Police executed a search warrant at a Leslies Lane property and found 2177 plants across 10 greenhouses on Tuesday, last week. A Barkly man, 39, was arrested at the scene. Police searched his vehicle and allegedly located a firearm. Investigators later searched a property on Johnsons Gully Road, in Barkly, and recovered four cannabis plants. Police have charged the man with cultivating narcotic plant, nonprohibited person possessing Cat A longarm, non-prohibited person possessing cartridge ammunition, handling stolen goods and possessing cocaine. He’s been bailed to appear at Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on May 8.
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